Crossing signal



March 8 1927' J. B. GEBHARD ET AL- CROSSING SIGNAL Filed July 1, 192

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS March 8 9 7- J. B. GEBHARD ET AL CROSSING SIGNAL Filed July 1. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS WITNESSES 2;

' sired length but preferably Patented Mar. 8, 1927.

JOHN B. GEBHARD AND HENRY ALTHAUS, OF DYERSVILLE, IOW'A.

CROSSING SIGNAL.

Application filed July 1,

This invention relates to crossing signals, an object of the invention being to provide a signal which is automatically operated by the passage of a train or car, which will be entirely mechanical in its operation, which will require no expense after installation, and which can be located on any rail anywhere as, for example, around a corner, in city streets, in a tunnel, or wherever desired.

A further object is to provide a signal of the character stated, which will be extremely simple in construction, which can be installed at a minimum of expense, which will be strong and durable in use, and which will most effectively perform the function for which it is intended;

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a portionof my improved signaling mecha- Insm;

Figure 2 is a perspective View, showing another portion of the signaling mechanism, and it may be understood that Figure 2 is a continuation at the right of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a View in longitudinal section, on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 1 is a view in transverse on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view, somewhat diagrammatic, illustrating a slightly different arrangement of signals;

Figure 6 is a detail View, showing the manner of connecting a cable with the signaling arm.

1, 1 represent the rails of a track which are supported on ties 2 and which constitute the ordinary track structure of a railroad. It is obvious that our invention is not limited to any particular construction and arrangement of rails and ties but is adapted for any form of track.

3 represents what we term a power rail because it is the movement of this rail which controls the operation of our improved signaling mechanism. This rail 3 is of any deof such a length as to accommodate at least two successive wheels on a car or train, so that when it is section,

1926. Serial No. 119,916.

once depressed by the first wheel of a locomotive it will be maintained depressed until the entire train passes over the same.

This rail is located beside one of the rails 1 and has tapering or inclined ends 4i so that its depression will be gradual, and there will be no appreciable shock or impact between the wheel and this power rail.

A filler strip 26 is secured or located against the web of the ordinary track rail, as shown in Figure 4:, so as to provide a smooth bearing for the inner surface of the rail 3.

The power rail 3 is mounted in suitable guides 5 fixed to ties 2, and at suitable points it is provided with angle brackets 6, with coil springs 7 under said brackets exerting upward pressure on the rail, holding the latter in normal position. These springs 7 are preferably seated in cups 8 located in the ties to sustain the Wear and to maintain the parts in proper position.

The ends or extremities of the power rail 2 are movable in recesses 9 in blocks 10 which are fixed to the ties 2. These recesses 9 permit of the desired vertical movement of the rail but prevent over movement.

At a desired point on the track, a transversely extending shaft 11 is mounted on one of the ties 2 below the rails. This shaft 11 has a rocker arm located under the power rail 3, so that when the power rail is de pressed the shaft will be rocked or turned a predetermined distance.

A pair of upwardly projecting rocker arms 13 are fixed to the ends of shaft 11 and have wires, cables or other connecting flexible devices 1 1 secured thereto and controlling the operation of my improved signaling device per se, which will now be described.

At the crossing indicated by the reference numeral 15 we provide upstanding figures 16, which may be of any suitable material formed in any suitable manner and representing any desired design, although we preferably outline and decorate these figures so that they simulate policemen in appearance. These figures 16 may be rigidly supported on bases 17, and said figures have each a movable arm 18. As the construction and operation of the figures are exactly alike the description hereinafter of one will apply alike to both.

The mova le arm 18 is piv t lly c nnected to the body of the figure, as shown at 19, and a bar is fixed to the armadjacent the'pivot 19, and said bar 20'is connectedby a coil spring 21 with the body of the figure. 16, normally holding thearm in its vertical or hanging position.

The flexible connecting devices lfl, above referred to, are passed through suitable guides 23 and around pulleys 24 on the fig.- ure 16 and are secured to the arms 18 at their pivotal ends. These flexible devices 14 are preferably located-in grooves 25 in the V pivoted ends of the armsl'S, so that when a Wheel of the. train is on the rail 3.

pull is had on the flexible devices l l the arms 18 Will be swung upwardly to a hori zontal position to signal the stoppage of traffic, as Willbe readily understood.

The parts are shown in normal position in the drawing. When a car or train: rides onto the rail?) it Will depress the latter, and 7 through the medium of the parts above described the arms 16 oflthe signaling devices will be swung upwardly and Will be maintained in this position as long as any he train will ride easily onto the railand off the same Without apparent shocks, and the device can be located Wherever a signal is desired:

Various slight changes and alterations might be made in the general form of the parts described vvithoutdepa zt ing from our invention and hence we do not liinit ourselves to the precise details set forth but turn the shaft when the ramp is depressedby the passage ofa Wheel over the track, a relatively long crank arm on said shaft, a figure constituting a crossing signal a piv otedarm on the signah a pulley on the signal, and a flexible device connectin the long crank arm with the arm of the signal and passed around said pulley JOHN B GEBHARD. ALTHAUS; 

